The video games industry is a growing market in Northern Ireland, with over 25 studios operating, including Level 91, Blackstaff Games, Bellular Studios, Italic Pig, and of course, the biggest of them all, Hypixel Studios.
However, while girls and women make up 50% of the game playing public, under 30% of those working in games are female, and only 11% of students who pursued an IT and tech degree at university are women.
We want to change that!
So we have teamed up with NI Screen to offer free courses to encourage girls aged
10-13 to consider a career in the video game industry.
Open to girls aged between 11 and 14, the free after schools, eight week long course introduces students to the skills needed to make their own computer game. Through a mixture of classroom and practical learning experiences the students will learn how to use Gamemaker, a free 2D game engine, and how to use illustration software Procreate on iPad. The course will also include talks from local industry experts alongside tours of game development studios.
The classes focus on hands-on learning, trying things out, building confidence, making new friends and most importantly, having fun.
The programme delivery locally is funded by the Department of Communities
The courses in Derry~Londonderry have been a huge success and feedback from the students and their parents and guardians tell us it has helped shape their skills profile and encouraged them to consider a career in the gaming industry.
1 new Girls Make Games classes in game development in Derry-Londonderry
“As part of our new four year strategy, Northern Ireland Screen is committed to future proofing the skills pipeline of the creative industries. Working with local companies like Kippie to enhance the provision of the Girls Make Games courses will raise awareness of the opportunities that exist in our local games sector and will inspire the next generation to consider a career in gaming and other creative industries. Games skills are future skills, as skills covered in the course include programming, design, team working and presentation, all of which are transferable. We will continue to work with Kippie to improve access to games education for those from underrepresented groups that provides a much-needed stepping stone to our range of careers and work experience programmes.”
“Kippie have been a great partner in growing the local games scene in Northern Ireland. Their Girls Make Games course is providing opportunities to diversify the future of gaming while helping young people to realise their potential. The ability to learn valuable skills in a safe and rewarding environment is reflected week on week by cultivating confidence in the group. Kippie are an inspiration both locally and to the games industry as a whole.”
Parent testimonials
“As her mum, I want to thank you for her place on the course. My daughter can be shy and can make her mind up very quickly whether she likes something or not, so the fact that she completed the course and attended every week tells me that she enjoyed it without having to ask her.”
“I would like to thank the team for giving our daughter this opportunity. She will definitely be aiming for a career in the games design industry. We can’t thank you enough”
“My daughter’s confidence has increased and she has started getting involved in other activities as a result. She is a big fan of digital art now and is always perfecting her skills. She loves it so much and I have seen a difference in her as a result”
“The classes you put on for the girls are amazing. There’s no other class of its sort that we’re aware of”
“My daughter lives for the class, you are great teachers”
“Can I just say a big thank you, to both of you, for what you’ve done with the girls- it’s been absolutely amazing seeing some of the progress and outputs. Our daughter has really loved it and it’s been a highlight of her week- she’s so proud of what she has achieved.”
“Our daughter loves the class, there were high levels of excitement when she suddenly understood that people could earn a good living spending their days creating video games. Career choice sorted”